Allan Okello could not have asked for a better start to life at Young Africans SC. Days after completing his high-profile move from Vipers SC, the Ugandan midfielder announced himself in style as Yanga thrashed Mashujaa FC 6–0 in the Tanzanian Premier League on Monday.
The win was emphatic, but for Okello it was the manner of his debut that stood out. Calm and assured, he capped his first outing by creating Yanga’s sixth goal, his powerful free-kick spilling into the path of fellow debutant Laurindo Dilson Depu to finish off a dominant display.
Yanga were in control almost from the first whistle. Camara Damaro opened the scoring inside eight minutes before Duke Abuya, Pacome Zouzoua, Prince Dube and Mudathir Abbas piled on the goals.
Yet amid the scoring spree, Okello’s smooth integration into the team was hard to miss.
Operating high on the right, the former Vipers playmaker demanded the ball, set the tempo and linked attacks with ease.
Trusted with set-pieces and left on for the full 90 minutes, he also went close to scoring, forcing Mashujaa goalkeeper Erick Johora into several sharp saves.
The result keeps Young Africans top of the table with 19 points from seven matches, two ahead of JKT Tanzania with games in hand. Mashujaa remain fourth, but were left chasing shadows.
For Okello, the focus quickly shifts forward. Yanga travel to Cairo on Friday to face Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, a far sterner test, but one his confident debut suggests he is ready for.
